Color match toolbox

Abstract

A system and method is presented for identifying a plurality of products within a collection of product images in an online shopping environment. The method includes providing the collection of images representing products offered for sale; receiving an input search criteria from a prospective customer. The criteria include at least one of a query color. The method also includes identifying and extracting colors within the collection of images based on a presence of significant colors in an image; and comparing and matching the query color to the identified and extracted significant colors. The method continues by determining, within a predetermined range of accuracy, products from within the collection of images having the matched query color; and presenting the determined products to the prospective customer. In one embodiment, the presentation is provided by means for a graphical user interface.

1 . A computer executed method for identifying a plurality of products within a collection of products in an online shopping environment, the method comprising:
 providing a collection of images representing the collection of products offered for sale;   receiving an input search criteria from a prospective consumer, the input search criteria including at least one query color;   identifying and extracting colors within the collection of images based on a presence of significant colors in an image;   comparing and matching the query color to the identified and extracted significant colors;   determining, within a predetermined range of accuracy, products from within the collection of images having the matched query color; and   presenting the determined products to the prospective customer.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the input criteria further includes a preference for where the query color appears on or within the image of the product. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one query color is retrieved from an uploaded image. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the extracted significant colors in the collection of images are provided as recommendations for the at least one query color. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determined products are presented to the prospective consumer in an interface including the product image, the significant colors within the image and for each significant color a representation of a dominance of the significant color within the image. 
     
     
         6 . A system for identifying a plurality of products within a collection of products in an online shopping environment, the system comprising:
 a collection of images representing the collection of products offered for sale;   an interface including an input search criteria portion that receives at least one query color;   a collection palette processor for identifying and extracting colors within the collection of images based on a presence of significant colors in an image;   a color search processor for comparing and matching the query color to the identified and extracted significant colors, and for determining, within a predetermined range of accuracy, products from within the collection of images having the matched query color; and   a display device coupled to the color search processor for presenting the determined products to the prospective customer.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the input search criteria portion further includes a portion for receiving a preference indicating where the query color appears on or within the image of the product. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the interface further includes a portions for initiating an upload of an image and extraction of the at least one query color from the uploaded image. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the interface further includes a recommendation portion wherein previously extracted significant colors in the collection of images are provided as recommendations for the at least one query color. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the determined products are presented to the prospective consumer on the interface. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the presentation of the determined products includes the product image, the significant colors within the image and a representation of a dominance of the significant color within the image.